July 21, 2011 - Ringling College of Art and Design Interior Design students Nicole Maulella and April White took home scholarships from the Donghia Foundation and the Robert Bruce Thompson Light Fixture Design Competition, respectively. Congratulations Nicole and April!

2011 Donghia Award - Nicole Maulella

Ringling College student Nicole Maulella ('12, Interior Design) has been chosen as one of the recipients of an award of $30,000 from the Angelo Donghia Foundation. The award covers senior year tuition, board and maintenance, books and other requisite student materials. Nicole was one of approximately 225 competitors, with only twelve prizes being awarded.

Nicole's concept for her winning design, Oishii, was based on vareity - which guides her design principle for the organization of the space as well as shapes and motifs for decorative elements. See Nicole's concept statement or visit her blog for more information about her winning project.

Since the inception of the Donghia Student Scholarship Award Program in 2001, a Ringling student has won an award each year with the exception of one. On two occasions, two Ringling students have won prizes in the same year.

About the Angelo Donghia Foundation, Inc. The Angelo Donghia Foundation, Inc. was established by the late Angelo Donghia, an internationally recognized interior design icon and source of inspiration to the design world. According to Jerrold M. Sonet, spokesperson for the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, “Our goal is to assist this new generation of gifted designers so that they have the necessary financial support to further their education, their design awareness and their career opportunities.” The Donghia Award benefits deserving students entering his or her last year in a Baccalaureate Degree program. The competition is open to students of interior design at an accredited University, College or School.

Two students from each eligible design program are nominated by their faculty. Each applicant submitted a portfolio of their work. The student portfolio must contain either one residential or one non-residential. Students are encouraged to submit drawings that show a comprehensive spatial approach to their design solutions. Additionally the students are encouraged to show work that shows a range of student’s skills such as 3-D computer renderings along with hand renderings as well as hand drawn process or concept sketches where appropriate. Student submissions were juried on merit basis by judges composed of leading interior designers, press and educators.

2011 Robert Bruce Thompson Competition - April White

Ringling College student April White ('12, Interior Design) was awarded "Citation for Innovative Concept" and a $500 scholarship for her winning piece in the 2011 Robert Bruce Thompson Light Fixture Design Competition.

April's winning design, COMMAND, the light, was designed for meeting attendees who could not see their notes during a presentation when house lights were dimmed. COMMAND, the light begins as a pendant light, but allows attendees to transform it into 6 personal desk lights for note taking. See April's full concept statement.

Since 2005, a Ringling College student has either placed or won this highly regarded national design competition. Ringling College faculty Seongwoo Nam was April's faculty sponsor.

About RBT Lighting CompetitionThe RBT Competition requires that entrants must be full time students, enrolled in an accredited academic degree program in the United States. Approved programs include architectural engineering programs, architecture programs, interior design programs, theatre, or industrial design programs. Because of the high level of competition, the competition sponsors recommend that entrants be undergraduate seniors or graduate students.

Bruce Thompson was a twenty-five year veteran of the lighting industry. He had a broad background in the profession having worked in theatre, retail, as a factory representative, and concluding his career in manufacturing as vice president of sales and marketing. Throughout his career Bruce emphasized design and innovation. He was also an accomplished light fixture designer. He established this independent competition to encourage creativity and education in light fixture design and manufacturing. The competition is administered by The Robert Bruce Thompson Trust, which was formed solely for the purpose of conducting the competition.